Overview
Title
To reauthorize the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
This bill wants to keep people safe from earthquakes by updating rules, working with different groups, and making sure important places can handle them. It also plans to spend money to help people know when earthquakes are coming and to fix things quickly after they happen.
Summary AI
S. 3606 aims to reauthorize and modify the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977. This bill includes updated findings on the risks and economic impacts of earthquakes, emphasizes the involvement of Tribal governments, and enhances provisions relating to earthquake prevention and response strategies. It proposes improvements to the earthquake early warning system, emphasizes functional recovery of infrastructure post-earthquake, and authorizes appropriations for various federal agencies involved in earthquake hazard reduction. The bill also mandates the development of guidelines for creating inventories of high-risk infrastructure and the provision of technical assistance to State, local, and Tribal governments.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill titled "National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024" seeks to update the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977. Its primary goal is to reauthorize and modernize efforts to mitigate the risks and impacts of earthquakes across the United States. Key changes include recognizing Tribal jurisdictions, enhancing building safety standards, updating funding allocations for related programs, and improving earthquake early warning systems. The bill also emphasizes the need for retrofitting older infrastructure and expanding definitions to include secondary effects of earthquakes such as tsunamis.
Significant Issues
One significant issue with the bill is the incorporation of "Tribal government" without providing a clear definition or framework for their involvement. This might lead to confusion regarding jurisdictional responsibilities and how Tribal governments will fit within the existing federal and local structures.
Another concern is the financial aspect of the bill. The repetitive allocation of funds across multiple fiscal years without adjustments for inflation or specific justification may lead to budgetary inefficiencies. Furthermore, the substantial amount designated to the Advanced National Seismic System raises questions about whether this sum is justified and appropriately distributed.
Additionally, the bill replaces the term "safety" with "performance" in seismic standards, which could potentially shift focus away from safety protocols. This change requires further clarification to ensure it does not inadvertently weaken protections for buildings and infrastructure.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Public Impact
For the general public, the bill holds the potential for increased safety and preparedness in earthquake-prone areas. By improving early warning systems and infrastructure resilience, communities at risk may benefit from reduced damage and faster recovery times in the event of an earthquake. However, without clear communication of these changes and their benefits, there might be public uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of these measures.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Tribal Governments: The inclusion of Tribal governments as stakeholders in the earthquake hazard reduction efforts could empower these communities by acknowledging their involvement in policy decisions. However, the lack of detailed guidelines could lead to implementation challenges and jurisdictional ambiguity.
Federal and Local Governments: These entities may bear the brunt of implementing the updated standards and retrofitting efforts outlined in the bill. This could lead to increased responsibilities and financial burdens without clear funding sources or adjustments based on real-time needs.
Construction and Engineering Sectors: These industries would likely experience increased demand for retrofitting and evaluating infrastructure. While this could foster economic growth and job creation, it also requires clear guidelines to ensure that the focus remains on enhancing safety without unnecessary regulatory constraints.
Educational and Research Institutions: The bill provides funding for research efforts, which may benefit academic institutions and researchers involved in seismic studies. However, consistency and clarity in funding distribution and priorities are crucial to ensuring these efforts contribute effectively to public safety goals.
Overall, while the bill aims to address important issues related to earthquake safety and preparedness, clear definitions, financial justifications, and stakeholder-specific guidelines are essential to effectively implement its provisions and maximize its benefits.
Financial Assessment
In examining the financial elements of S. 3606, which seeks to reauthorize and amend the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, several notable appropriations and financial allocations are made. The bill outlines funding for various federal agencies involved in earthquake hazard reduction, with specific allocations for the fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
General Appropriations
The bill proposes $10,590,000 annually for the general authorization of the program from fiscal year 2024 through 2028. Such consistent allocations across multiple years, while providing stability in budgeting, could also raise concerns about the impact of inflation over time. Without adjustments, these funds might not adequately address potential increases in costs, potentially hampering the program's long-term effectiveness.
United States Geological Survey
A significant financial provision includes $100,900,000 annually for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from 2024 to 2028. Importantly, $36,000,000 of this is designated each year for the Advanced National Seismic System. This allocation could be seen as favoring a particular project without providing a clear necessity or justification. It is essential to evaluate whether such targeted funding offers the most efficient use of resources and whether it aligns with evolving program needs.
Other Agency Allocations
The National Science Foundation is set to receive $58,000,000 each year for five years, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology will receive $5,900,000 annually during the same period. These appropriations aim to ensure these entities have the resources needed to support earthquake-related research and development projects.
Financial Issues
Several issues arise from these allocations. The repetitive nature of the funding suggests a lack of varied assessment for program needs, hinting at potential inefficiencies. Specifying a fixed amount across all years without considering inflation-related adjustments can lead to challenges in maintaining the programs' efficiency and effectiveness.
Moreover, the allocation of substantial funds to specific projects, like the Advanced National Seismic System, highlights the necessity for a detailed justification to ensure that resources are being allocated to the most critical areas capable of delivering the intended outcomes.
Additionally, there is an issue with the broader framework that involves Tribal governments in the financial distribution and governance without a clear definition. This could complicate the execution and lead to jurisdictional ambiguities, potentially affecting the funding's implementation.
In summary, while the bill provides substantial funds aimed at improving earthquake resiliency, the financial planning does not fully account for inflation and may not adapt flexibly to changing priorities or emerging conditions. Addressing these gaps could improve the strategic deployment of resources and enhance the program's overall success in achieving its objectives.
Issues
The allocation of $36,000,000 from the United States Geological Survey's budget for the Advanced National Seismic System for each fiscal year 2024-2028 might favor a particular project. This could be problematic without a clear justification for its necessity or appropriateness. (Section 9)
The use of 'Tribal government' in amendments without a clear definition creates potential ambiguities regarding jurisdiction and involvement in funding and implementation, complicating how these governments fit into the existing framework. (Section 3)
The financial constraints and lack of adjustments for inflation in the appropriation amounts across fiscal years 2024-2028 could lead to inefficiencies or inadequate funding over time, potentially hampering the program's effectiveness. (Section 9)
The modification replacing 'encourage consideration of' with 'incorporate' in Section 3 could impose stricter requirements, potentially leading to compliance challenges without clear guidelines. (Section 3)
The repetitive nature of funding allocations without variation or explanation suggests a lack of assessment for specific program needs each year, possibly resulting in inefficient resource use. (Section 9)
The lack of specificity in how the 'provision of technical assistance' will be funded and implemented might lead to unclear responsibilities and implementation challenges. (Section 5)
The change of the term 'safety' to 'performance' in seismic standards might shift focus away from safety protocols, possibly weakening protections. This change requires clarification on its rationale and implications. (Section 6)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this act states its official name: the "National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024".
2. Modification of findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 is being updated to include changes like recognizing Tribal jurisdictions, increasing the focus on building safety during earthquakes, and addressing risks with older construction codes. New findings highlight that half the U.S. population lives in earthquake-risk areas and estimate financial losses from earthquakes.
Money References
- Section 2 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking “50 States, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,” and inserting “States and Tribal jurisdictions”; (B) by striking “of them” and inserting “States”; and (C) by adding at the end the following: “Almost half of the United States population resides in areas that are at risk or experiencing a damaging earthquake during the 50-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024”; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting after the first sentence the following: “A 2023 report by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Geological Survey (FEMA P–366) estimates the annualized earthquake losses to the national building stock is $14,700,000,000 per year and the total economic exposure to earthquake losses (buildings and contents) across the nation is $107,800,000,000,000.”; and (B) in the third sentence— (i) by striking “and construction” and inserting “, construction, evaluation, and retrofitting”; (ii) by striking “and (E)” and inserting the following: “(E) inventories of buildings and infrastructure with high seismic risk, especially those that are critical to community resilience, (F) programs that require or incentivize replacement or retrofit of existing buildings and infrastructure with high seismic risk, especially those that are critical to community resilience, and (G)”; (3) in paragraph (3), by inserting “Tribal,” after “local,”; (4) in paragraph (4), by striking “could provide” and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting “is necessary to provide the scientific understanding needed to improve and expand the earthquake early warning system.”; (5) in paragraph (8), by striking “cave-ins” and inserting “collapse”; (6) in paragraph (9)— (A) in the first sentence, by striking “and local” and inserting “local, and Tribal government”; and (B) in the second sentence, by striking “transfer knowledge and information to” and inserting “exchange knowledge and information between”; and (C) in the third sentence, by striking “specifications, criteria” and inserting “guidelines, codes, standards”; (7) in paragraph (12)— (A) in the second sentence— (i) by striking “When earthquakes occur, the built environment is generally” and inserting “Relatively newer buildings and infrastructure have generally been”; (ii) by striking “and is” and inserting “when earthquakes occur, but most are”; and (B) by adding at the end the following: “In addition, buildings and infrastructure built to older codes and standards may pose significant risk of injury, loss of life, or irreparable damage.
- A 2021 report submitted to Congress pursuant to section 8(b), as amended by section 5 of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–307), by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (FEMA P2090/NST SP–1254) provides recommendations for improving post-earthquake functional recovery time of the built environment to support community resilience goals and many of these recommendations still need to be implemented.”; and (8) in paragraph (13)— (A) in the first sentence, by inserting “in 2011” after “a study”; (B) in the second sentence, by inserting “(in 2011 dollars)” after “$300,000,000”; and (C) by adding at the end the following: “The cost of actual seismic retrofits to reduce known risks is not included in such valuation.”. ---
3. Modification of purpose Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The changes to the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 include involving Tribal governments alongside federal and local ones, expanding the focus on buildings and infrastructure, adding evaluations and retrofitting in construction efforts, and considering housing for vulnerable populations.
4. Modification of definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section modifies definitions in the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 by adding that earthquakes can cause secondary effects like tsunamis and defining two new terms: "Tribal government," as referred to in another law, and "functional recovery," which describes a condition where a building or infrastructure can still safely function after an earthquake.
5. Improvements to National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines updates to the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, emphasizing enhanced support and collaboration with local, Tribal, and state governments. It includes improvements in earthquake hazard understanding, early warning systems, and the creation of best practices for assessing and retrofitting structures vulnerable to earthquakes, as well as expanding communication efforts for timely emergency alerts.
6. Seismic performance property standards Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section modifies the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act by changing the language related to seismic safety. It replaces "safety" with "performance" and updates the definition of property damage to focus on improving the recovery time after an earthquake.
7. Seismic standards Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendment to the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act requires agencies to carry out research and projects to improve building performance after earthquakes, and to submit reports every two years about their progress. The Interagency Coordinating Committee will include this information in its reports and consider how to prioritize and fund these efforts.
8. Improvements to post-earthquake investigations program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section updates the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to allow for both domestic and international investigation of major earthquakes and specifies that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should be mentioned in a particular sentence.
9. Authorization of appropriations Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section authorizes specific funding amounts for the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and its related agencies for fiscal years 2024 to 2028. It details allocations to the United States Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology with designated amounts for each organization for completing initiatives like the Advanced National Seismic System.
Money References
- (a) General authorization for program.—Subsection (a)(8) of section 12 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking “, and” and inserting a comma; and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following: “(K) $10,590,000 for fiscal year 2024, “(L) $10,590,000 for fiscal year 2025, “(M) $10,590,000 for fiscal year 2026, “(N) $10,590,000 for fiscal year 2027, and “(O) $10,590,000 for fiscal year 2028,”.
- (b) United States Geological Survey.—Subsection (b)(2) of such section is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking “; and” and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: “(K) $100,900,000 for fiscal year 2024, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13; “(L) $100,900,000 for fiscal year 2025, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13; “(M) $100,900,000 for fiscal year 2026, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13; “(N) $100,900,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13; and “(O) $100,900,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13.”. (c) National Science Foundation.—Subsection (c)(2) of such section is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking “, and” and inserting a comma; (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting a comma; and (3) by adding at the end the following: “(K) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, “(L) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, “(M) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, “(N) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, and “(O) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.”. (d) National Institute of Standards and Technology.—Subsection (d)(2) of such section is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking “, and” and inserting a comma; (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting a comma; and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following: “(K) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2024, “(L) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2025, “(M) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2026, “(N) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2027, and “(O) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2028,”. ---
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides the short title for the Act, stating it may be called the “National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024.”
2. Modification of findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill modifies the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 by updating language to include Tribal jurisdictions, referencing recent reports on earthquake risks and economic losses, and emphasizing the need for improved earthquake warning systems and building standards. It also highlights the importance of retrofitting older infrastructure to enhance community resilience and provides cost estimates for necessary seismic upgrades.
Money References
- Section 2 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking “50 States, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,” and inserting “States and Tribal jurisdictions”; (B) by striking “of them” and inserting “States”; and (C) by adding at the end the following: “Almost half of the United States population resides in areas that are at risk or experiencing a damaging earthquake during the 50-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024”; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting after the first sentence the following: “A 2023 report by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Geological Survey (FEMA P-366) estimates the annualized earthquake losses to the national building stock is $14,700,000,000 per year and the total economic exposure to earthquake losses (buildings and contents) across the nation is $107,800,000,000,000.”; and (B) in the third sentence— (i) by striking “and construction” and inserting “, construction, evaluation, and retrofitting”; (ii) by striking “and (E)” and inserting the following: “(E) inventories of buildings and infrastructure with high seismic risk, especially those that are critical to community resilience, (F) programs that require or incentivize replacement or retrofit of existing buildings and infrastructure with high seismic risk, especially those that are critical to community resilience, and (G)”; (3) in paragraph (3), by inserting “Tribal,” after “local,”; (4) in paragraph (4), by striking “could provide” and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting “is necessary to provide the scientific understanding needed to improve and expand the earthquake early warning system.”; (5) in paragraph (8), by striking “cave-ins” and inserting “collapse”; (6) in paragraph (9)— (A) in the first sentence, by striking “and local” and inserting “local, and Tribal government”; and (B) in the second sentence, by striking “transfer knowledge and information to” and inserting “exchange knowledge and information between”; and (C) in the third sentence, by striking “specifications, criteria” and inserting “guidelines, codes, standards”; (7) in paragraph (12)— (A) in the second sentence— (i) by striking “When earthquakes occur, the built environment is generally” and inserting “Relatively newer buildings and infrastructure have generally been”; (ii) by striking “and is” and inserting “when earthquakes occur, but most are”; and (B) by adding at the end the following: “In addition, buildings and infrastructure built to older codes and standards may pose significant risk of injury, loss of life, or irreparable damage.
- A 2021 report submitted to Congress pursuant to section 8(b), as amended by section 5 of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–307), by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (FEMA P2090/NST SP-1254) provides recommendations for improving post-earthquake functional recovery time of the built environment to support community resilience goals and many of these recommendations still need to be implemented.”; and (8) in paragraph (13)— (A) in the first sentence, by inserting “in 2011” after “a study”; (B) in the second sentence, by inserting “(in 2011 dollars)” after “$300,000,000”; and (C) by adding at the end the following: “The cost of actual seismic retrofits to reduce known risks is not included in such valuation.”. ---
3. Modification of purpose Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section modifies the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to include Tribal governments and update terminology to better address safety in buildings and infrastructure. It adds measures for improving evaluation, construction, and retrofitting, particularly focusing on housing and care facilities for vulnerable populations.
4. Modification of definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The modifications to the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 add definitions for "Tribal government," "functional recovery," and "earthquake forecast." "Tribal government" is defined as per the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, "functional recovery" describes how buildings or infrastructure should perform after an earthquake, and "earthquake forecast" refers to predictions about the likelihood of earthquakes in a given area and time period.
5. Improvements to National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill proposes updates to the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program by including Tribal governments, expanding activities to design, evaluate, and retrofit buildings, and enhancing coordination with agencies like FEMA and the FCC for emergency response. It aims to improve understanding of earthquake-related hazards and develop guidelines for community resilience, while also promoting broader communication and safety practices for dealing with earthquakes.
6. Seismic performance property standards Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act is being updated to change the terminology from "safety" to "performance" and to specify that damage related to earthquakes will focus on improving how quickly buildings can function again after an earthquake.
7. Seismic standards Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendment to the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 requires each Program agency to carry out activities to improve building performance after earthquakes. Additionally, every two years, agencies must report their progress to an Interagency Committee, which will coordinate plans and budget needs to implement the recommendations.
8. Improvements to post-earthquake investigations program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to ensure that both national and international major earthquakes are investigated, and it includes a reference to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for clarity.
9. Authorization of appropriations Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the allocation of funds for various agencies for fiscal years 2024 to 2028 under the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977. Specific amounts are designated each year for programs related to earthquake hazards, including funding for the United States Geological Survey, National Science Foundation, and National Institute of Standards and Technology, with a portion of funds for seismic system completion.
Money References
- (a) General authorization for program.—Subsection (a)(8) of section 12 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking “, and” and inserting a comma; and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following: “(K) $10,590,000 for fiscal year 2024, “(L) $10,590,000 for fiscal year 2025, “(M) $10,590,000 for fiscal year 2026, “(N) $10,590,000 for fiscal year 2027, and “(O) $10,590,000 for fiscal year 2028,”.
- (b) United States Geological Survey.—Subsection (b)(2) of such section is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking “; and” and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: “(K) $100,900,000 for fiscal year 2024, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13; “(L) $100,900,000 for fiscal year 2025, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13; “(M) $100,900,000 for fiscal year 2026, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13; “(N) $100,900,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13; and “(O) $100,900,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13.”. (c) National Science Foundation.—Subsection (c)(2) of such section is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking “, and” and inserting a comma; (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting a comma; and (3) by adding at the end the following: “(K) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, “(L) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, “(M) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, “(N) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, and “(O) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.”. (d) National Institute of Standards and Technology.—Subsection (d)(2) of such section is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking “, and” and inserting a comma; (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting a comma; and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following: “(K) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2024, “(L) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2025, “(M) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2026, “(N) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2027, and “(O) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2028,”. ---